The Framework Laptop 16’s Big Characteristic Will Be the Most Vital PC Innovation in Years

Laptops don’t change. Every yr is similar drained story. Laptops develop thinner by millimeters or increase efficiency by small share factors. Framework, the makers of a few of right this moment’s most modular laptops, now has a brand new gadget that’s so promising, it may change the sport for all notebooks going ahead. Now that we’ve had an opportunity to investigate what’s coming with this upcoming Framework Laptop 16, it’s doable that the gadget’s modularity may make all cell setups much better—not simply laptops.

On Tuesday, Framework shared two main upgrades that push the Framework Laptop 16 past its first 2023 iteration. The most novel improve is an all-new graphics module that slots into the again of the gadget, constructed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. While most fashionable laptops’ APUs—aka accelerated processing models—have some quantity of graphics processing functionality, a discrete GPU can sort out extra intensive duties at increased resolutions. Only in comparison with virtually each laptop computer obtainable now, this one will be taken out and swapped with one in all Framework’s different enlargement bay shells or a less-powerful graphics module. This implies that, sooner or later, players and creators can merely purchase a brand new GPU module quite than a complete new laptop computer each few years.

The Framework module is the primary occasion of a swappable laptop computer GPU absolutely supported by Nvidia. Alienware proposed a equally modular GPU again in 2019 with the Area-51m, which ended with lawsuits towards the Dell-owned model and the corporate abandoning the dream of absolutely modular laptops with swappable CPUs and GPUs. As a lot as it is a large deal for laptops, there are extra use instances for a small laptop computer GPU with built-in thermals. Framework has already experimented with just a few.

In a video, Framework confirmed off a separate shell that might flip its RTX 5070 module into an eGPU. Essentially, consider this as an exterior graphics processor attached with a set of I/O ports that may join into any PC-like gadget with out a discrete GPU. Most of right this moment’s eGPUs contain taking huge desktop-level graphics playing cards and sticking them in big containers with followers. Big setups like this are removed from perfect, however that’s the place laptop-level graphics can utterly transform how we take into consideration exterior graphics. The prototype that Framework confirmed off is extra compact and flat than most of right this moment’s choices. The advantage of this design is that customers may merely take their graphics module off their laptop computer, stick it into the eGPU dock, after which hook up a Steam Deck-like gaming handheld or another mini PC for a console-like gaming expertise.

Framework founder Nirav Patel stated one of many large hiccups with this eGPU design is price, particularly in the event that they attempt to supply high-quality elements for its body. He implied this framework can be extra for DIYers who wish to reuse these outdated graphics modules. I’m of a unique thoughts. If I purchase the $650 RTX 5070 module and eGPU mount, I may presumably flip future handheld PCs just like the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally X into each my cell and home-bound PC setup. All I would want is a simple docking station for all my gadgets.

And that’s simply the tip of the iceberg. That slim GPU module may have extra purposes that I haven’t even thought-about but. A current Linus Tech Tips construct that put a gaming PC on the underside of a big wooden desk would have benefited from a Framework’s low-key GPU module.

Framework’s laptop computer would be the first laptop computer with native 240W USB-C charging. Most fashionable gaming laptops use a proprietary port for high-capacity charging. The firm described the ability brick as “compact,” and whereas it’s going to nonetheless take up a large portion of the common backpack, it’s not a lot bigger than the 180W brick of the 2023 Laptop 16. The new ultra-repairable gaming laptop computer will nonetheless solely assist as much as 100W TGP, or whole graphics energy, so the remainder of the brick will even must energy the CPU and different elements whereas pushing juice to the battery.

The bigger capability could not change how briskly the Framework 16 expenses. Framework advised Gizmodo that the general charging time for the 240W energy brick can be much like the 180W model, irrespective of which USB-C port you employ. With an approximate 85W charging, it’s going to take a bit beneath an hour to get from round 10% to 90%. A full cost from empty could take nearer to 1 and a half hours.

There are just a few different 240W USB-C energy adapters obtainable, as first famous by The Verge. The Ugreen Nexode Desktop Charger can technically deal with an influence output of 500W, together with a single port for 240W. That gadget is constructed for stationary desktop setups quite than cell computer systems. Instead, the modular laptop computer maker is promoting its energy brick individually for $110. All this promise belies the large drawback, which is price. The Framework Laptop 16 begins at $1,500 and can demand nicely over $3,000 if you wish to equipment out the gadget with the highest-end specs. Most customers should edge towards extra simple pre-built designs. But for these searching for the longer term, the Framework Laptop 16 could supply far more alternatives for greater than laptops down the road.

This publish was up to date 8/27/25 at 12:10 p.m. to incorporate a remark from Framework about anticipated charging occasions.